Sheriff: 2 Killed In Plane Crash Near Pine River Regional Airport

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two people were killed Friday after a plane crashed about a quarter mile south of the Pine River Regional Airport, according to the Cass County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities received a report of the incident at about 6:30 p.m. Friday. Several witnesses in the area said the plane, which authorities identified as a Piper Cub, took off "low and slow" before crashing a quarter mile south of the airport.

A pilot and one passenger were on the plane at the time of the crash. They were both pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said the flight plan was a local flight, meaning it started in Pine River and was supposed to land there as well.

After the crash, the plane was leaking fuel but there was no fire. Authorities said there was no air traffic control communication with the plane because the control tower was not staffed. Debris from the plane was transferred to the Twin Cities for further examination.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office identified the victims Sunday as 43-year-old John Witt and 32-year-old Stacy Sundquist, both of Pine River. The crash remains under investigation by the Cass County Sheriff's Office, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.